Interchangeable hair retaining set

ABSTRACT

An interchangeable hair band system is provided with number of variously sized and shaped and colored elasticized bands, which are interchangeable with a number of variously sized and shaped decorative elements and support rings. The interchangeable hair band system comprises an elasticized band, a decorative element with a loop capable of being removably attached to the elasticized band, a support ring that has a center opening therethrough and a double hook means. The S-shaped double hook fits through the center opening in the support ring with the hooks engaging the loop of the decorative element on one side and the elasticized band on another side of the support ring. The support ring contacts and mates with the shape and style of the decorative element and also conceals the loop of the decorative element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to hair styling equipment and, more specifically, to a device and a method for holding hair in place while providing an attached interchangeable decorative assembly.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Securing hair ornaments through use of a hair bands, combs, hairpins, barrettes, loops, styling devices, etc. is well known. Such devices often also serve the purpose of controlling or holding the user's hair in place, besides providing adornment. The adornment of one's hair has been an area of much creativity over the decades. Wherever there are women and mothers of little girls, fashionable accessorizing continues to be an ongoing demand and challenge. While the basic hair restraining devices, remain essentially unchanged, ornamental applications such as hair bows, flowers, ribbons, beads, or even favorite cartoon or movie characters are constantly changing trends. This can become an economic nightmare for consumers since trendy accessorization may be costly and limited to one application.

[0005] Prior art patents do not adequately address the problem of creating a changeable hair band system for a variety of styles.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,439, issued Sep. 9, 1997 to Dickerson, describes a multipurpose ornamental and method of use that comprises a decorative button, a decorative main body, and a means for securing the button to the main body while also securing the ornament to hair or clothing of the user. The two-part system allows the ornament to be changed in appearance by mixing and matching decorative buttons and decorative main body parts to suit the user's taste.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,018, issued Nov. 12, 1996 to Johnson, indicates an ornamental hair barrette that provides a mechanism allowing for rapid replacement, removal or addition of alternate ornamental appendages without requiring the wearer to remove the barrette from the wearer's hair each time the ornamental appendages are replaced, removed or supplemented. The mechanism includes ribs and recesses for interlocking a stem to a shaft having at least one slot extending substantially lengthwise along the stem or the shaft which allows the interlocking to take place via spring-like expansion and retraction of the stem or shaft respectively.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. D443,724, issued Jun. 12, 2001 to Neary, shows the ornamental design for a crystal or beaded elasticized hair band with tails. The hair band is made by using a piece of clear, elastic band with crystals or beads being attached when strung onto that band. The hair band can be used just like a rubberband or ponytail holder, by looping it two or three times around the hair, until secure.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,022, issued Sep. 22, 1998 to Reynolds, claims a new decorative hair ornament, a braidlet, and a method to attach it to one's hair. The braidlet is a tube-like device that covers the ends of braids and also allows for further ornamentation to be hung from the tubes. This invention adds another option for both men and women trying to style or decorate their hair. The versatility of the ornamentation allows for it to be easily removable and adjustable. The braidlet is simply constructed and therefore can be made to suit ones tastes, according to the amount of money one wished to spend.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,065, issued Jul. 28, 1998 to Johnson, discloses a hair barrette that includes a reversible snap-on connecting device for attaching, replacing and/or adding one or more ornamental appendages to a hair clamp. The novel connecting device is structurally capable of rapidly, repetitively and selectively performing the attaching, replacing and/or adding functions substantially in perpetuity without suffering material fatigue and/or functional failure of the connecting device.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,585, issued Oct. 17, 2000 to Reinstein, puts forth a hair ornament attachment system that includes a hair ornament having a decorative silk flower side and a back side to which the hook portion of a Velcro RTM. fastener is adhered. Alternatively, the hair ornament decorative side may consist of a piece of plastic formed to resemble a rare gemstone. The hair ornaments are small and lightweight, and the hook fastener portion may be intertwined in a user's hair thereby attaching the ornament for adornment. The attachment system also includes a display comprising a loop fastening area supported by a staff framework, to attractively store the ornaments not in use. Additionally, drop or dangling hair ornamentation includes a fibered material (on which beads may be strung), having one or both ends mounted to a two-sided hook portion which similarly may be intertwined into the user's hair.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,611, issued May 29, 2001 to LeCrone, concerns a banded clothing device that is made of a tubular fabric structure which has at least one pocket in the longitudinal plane the pocket providing a means for interchangeably receiving ornaments or other objects. Also disclosed is the method for making the device and manner of using the device.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,903, issued Sep. 18, 2001 to Haulfer, provides a method for displaying accessories that includes providing a wearable body which has a first side and a second side. The method also includes coupling to the wearable body at least one accessory using a cord adapted to be woven through a portion of the wearable body. In another embodiment of the invention, an accessory display holder includes a wearable body and a cord adapted to be woven through at least a portion of the wearable body. The accessory display holder also includes at least one accessory adapted to be releasably coupled to the cord.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. D357,335, issued Apr. 11, 1995 to Cathcart, claims the ornamental design for a hair band with detachable bow that offers more than one way of wearing the hair band.

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 248,542, issued Oct. 18, 1881 to Wilson, discloses an ornamental hair comb that consists of a curved band of elastic or flexible material that has its ends pointed inward to hold the hair. The comb is secured in place by means of steady-pins and may be simply and cheaply ornamented in a variety of ways.

[0016] What is needed is an inexpensive and easy to use hair band system with interchangeable styles and shapes of ornaments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An object of the present invention is to provide a variety of different hair bands and hair ornaments which interconnect by an S-hook through a center opening in a base support ornament for an inexpensive and easy to use hair band system with interchangeable styles and shapes of ornaments.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable hair band system that is not limited to one application, due to its interchangeable components.

[0019] One more object of the present invention is to provide a system in which the user may accessorize their wardrobe that is not costly.

[0020] An additional object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable hair band system that is easy to use, which children are able to assemble.

[0021] In brief, an interchangeable hair band system that comprises an elasticized band capable of holding hair in place on a head of a user and a decorative element with a loop capable of being removably attached to the elasticized band. The interchangeable hair band system also comprises a support ring that has a center opening therethrough and a double hook means. The double hook is formed of wire bent into an S-shape slightly longer than the support ring and narrower than the center opening through the support ring. The double hook means includes a first hook at a first end that is capable of engaging the elasticized band and a second hook at a second end, which is capable of engaging the decorative element. The double hook means is capable of fitting through the center opening of the support ring with the decorative element on one side and the elasticized band on another side of the support ring. The support ring contacts and mates with the shape and style of the decorative element. The center opening in the support ring is sufficiently large to admit the protruding loop from the decorative element in the center opening so that the decorative element abuts the support ring and the loop is not visible. The decorative element comprises a decorative outer side and an underside which has a protruding loop for receiving the second end of the double hook through the loop.

[0022] The elasticized band encircles a portion of hair on a user's head with the support ring and decorative element visible on the hair. A number of variously sized and shaped and colored elasticized bands are interchangeable with a number of variously sized and shaped decorative elements and support rings.

[0023] An advantage of the present invention is that it is made of interchangeable components.

[0024] An additional advantage of the present invention is that it may be used to accessorize a wardrobe.

[0025] One more advantage of the present invention is that it may be used to interest young girls in hair care.

[0026] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it is easy to use.

[0027] Still another advantage of the present invention is that it is inexpensive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] These and other details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:

[0029]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interchangeable hair band system of the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the interchangeable hair band system of FIG. 1 in place on a head of a user;

[0031]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the four components of the interchangeable hair band system of FIG. 1;

[0032]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the components of the interchangeable hair band system of claim 1 with the elasticized band inserted through the center opening of the support ring with one end of the elasticized band connected to the S-hook and decorative element set to pull the S-hook through the center opening;

[0033]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the support ring with the decorative element and elasticized band attached.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0034] In FIGS. 1-5, an interchangeable hair band system 20 comprises an elasticized band 21 that is capable of holding hair 30 in place on a head of a user and a decorative element 22 with a loop 25, which is capable of being removably attached to the elasticized band 21. The interchangeable hair band system 20 also comprises a support ring 23 that has a center opening 26 therethrough and a double hook means 24. The double hook 24 is formed of wire bent into an S-shape, which is slightly longer than the support ring 23 and narrower than the center opening 26 through the support ring 23.

[0035] The double hook means 24 includes a first hook at a first end that is capable of engaging the elasticized band 21 and a second hook at a second end, which is capable of engaging the decorative element 22 through the loop 25. The double hook means 24 is capable of fitting through the center opening 26 of the support ring 23 with the decorative element 22 on one side and the elasticized band 21 on another side of the support ring 23.

[0036] The support ring 23 contacts and mates with the shape and style of the decorative element 22, as shown in FIG. 1. The first end of the double hook 24 protrudes outside of the support ring 23 maintaining the elasticized band 21 adjacent to and outside of the support ring 23. The center opening 26 in the support ring 23 is sufficiently large to admit the protruding loop 25 from the decorative element 22 in the center opening 26 so that the decorative element 22 abuts the support ring 23 and the loop 25 is not visible, as shown in FIG. 5 with the loop 25 shown dashed inside the support ring. The decorative element 22 comprises a decorative outer side and an underside, which has a protruding loop 25 for receiving the second end of the double hook 24 through the loop 25.

[0037] The elasticized band 21 encircles a portion of hair 30 on a user's head with the support ring 23 and decorative element 22 visible on the hair 30, as shown is FIG. 2. The interchangeable hair band system 20 includes a number of variously sized and shaped and colored elasticized bands 21 that are interchangeable with a number of variously sized and shaped decorative elements 22 and support rings 23.

[0038] In practice, the interchangeable hair band system 20 would be assembled by drawing an elasticized band 21 partially through the hole 26 in the support ring 23, leaving a portion of the band 21 on either side of the support ring 23. The user would attach the first end of the S-shaped double hook 24 to the loop 25 of the elasticized band 21 that extends from the portion of the support ring 23 which will receive the decorative piece 22. The second end of the double hook 24 would then be engaged with the loop 25 of the decorative element 22. Next, to fully assemble the system 20, the user would pull the free end of the elasticized band 21 back through the support ring 23 until the decorative piece 22 is flat against the support ring 23, as shown in FIG. 1 and 5. The support ring 23 conceals the loop 25 of the decorative piece 22, when seated properly, as shown in FIG. 5. The first end of the double hook 24 protrudes outside of the support ring 23 maintaining the elasticized band 21 adjacent to and outside of the support ring 23, also shown in FIG. 5. The elasticized band 21 is then encircled around the hair 30 of the user. The decorative outer side of the decorative piece 22 is turned to face away from the user's scalp for proper display, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0039] The interchangeable hair band system 20 may be manufactured with a number of variously sized and shaped and colored elasticized bands 21 that are interchangeable with a number of variously sized and shaped decorative elements 22 and support rings 23. A user may keep the hair system 20 sorted in a clear multi-compartment plastic case, for ease of locating the separate portions 21-24 of the interchangeable hair band system 20.

[0040] It is understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An interchangeable hair band system comprising: an elasticized band capable of holding hair in place on a head of a user; a decorative element capable of being removably attached to the elasticized band; a support ring having a center opening therethrough; a double hook means comprising a first hook at a first end capable of engaging the elasticized band and a second hook at a second end capable of engaging the decorative element, the double hook means capable of fitting through the center opening of the support ring with the decorative element on one side of the support ring and the elasticized band on another side of the support ring with the elasticized band encircling a portion of hair on a user's head and the support ring and decorative element visible on the hair.
 2. The interchangeable hair band system of claim 1 wherein the double hook is formed of wire bent into an S-shape slightly longer than the support ring and narrower than the center opening through the support ring.
 3. The interchangeable hair band system of claim 2 wherein the first end of the double hook protrudes outside of the support ring maintaining the elasticized band adjacent to and outside of the support ring.
 4. The interchangeable hair band system of claim 1 wherein a number of variously sized and shaped and colored elasticized bands are interchangeable with a number of variously sized and shaped decorative elements and support rings.
 5. The interchangeable hair band system of claim 1 wherein the support ring contacts and mates with the shape and style of the decorative element.
 6. The interchangeable hair band system of claim 1 wherein the decorative element comprises a decorative outer side and an underside having a protruding loop for receiving the second end of the double hook through the loop.
 7. The interchangeable hair band system of claim 6 wherein the center opening in the support ring is sufficiently large to admit the protruding loop from the decorative element in the center opening so that the decorative element abuts the support ring and the loop is not visible. 